Was watching "band of brothers" on youtube for the past few days. I have the entire miniseries on vcd at home, but somehow, I can't really find it in the mess that is my house... Gotta just settle with substandard quality videos streamed online.
Well, it's not really that substandard but... no matter.
This series comprises a total of 10 episodes, each addressing a specific location / major event from one of the veteran's perspective. You should give it a shot if you haven't watch it already.
It's hard not to be reminded of the days when I underwent training at Paya Lebar Airbase (PLAB), and that is almost 5 years ago. There were some memorable moments, but most of the time, it sucked big time... Of course, it does build up a little resilience and strengthen your will... That's what NS does to people, and I dare say that even the ones who hate it to the core would have taken something beneficial out of there, and would find it useful later in life.
The scenes in this series are largely focused on battles between the US military and the German Nazis. All that fighting and gunfire do serve to generate some of the stuff which I've learnt (but definitely forgotten) at PLAB, and that means the times when I went for live firing exercises.
My vocation, as conventionally thought, wasn't supposed to be tough - it was, after all, a security guard if you like, providing some security to the places I was supposed to guard, give a few directions to visitors, organize some events. Hardly worth mentioning, but the things that must happen before I can officially do such stuff (i.e. I need to be "properly trained") are the ones worth a little time talking about.
The various weapons I have "live fired" are:
M16S1: I was one the few who fired this old but trusty weapon, way before they introduced the SAR21. I have had the chance to touch the latter at a later time during my NS days, but that's not really the point. No marksman.
M203: Is it an "O" or a "0" (zero)? No idea. Three shots for this I think. Fires a grenade from a launcher affixed to the M16S1 and is designed to deal damage by blasts. Variants include a smoke grenade designed to provide cover - fired that as well. Shots landed where they supposed to be.
LAW: I have no idea what this acronym stands for, but it's a weapon designed to fight against light-armored vehicles. The real thing is a once-fired-then-throw kind of thing, and that has more power than the one I fired from (which was for training, so it can be reused over and over. though, you might have already guessed, lacking in power). Shot hit the target with a resounding "clank."
GPMG: Don't mess with this m*****f*****! Fired about 50 - 75 rounds of it in bursts (3-round shots). Designed for suppressive fire on oncoming threats - very effective. It might not be geared to exactly hitting targets, but if you are charging at an enemy position that is fortified with this kick-ass weapon, you better find a place to seek cover... Has range. Also, the place at which we fired this weapon was overlooking the Tuas 2nd Link - but we didn't fire in that direction, of course - and so, nice view.
I went for two other live firing exercises with the M16S1.
Section Live Firing: Conducted somewhere behind NIE, in the thick jungles (that's why you can hear gunshots sometimes, if you have studied in NTU before). It was pretty ok because we were lined up horizontally, and moved in a straight line towards the target. You just move straight on - no left, right, or diagonal turns. I did pretty ok in this.
*When I walked out of the jungle and saw NIE, I was totally exhuberant - civilization! I would be coming here in 2 years time (it was 2003 then) and now, I have my degree!
Platoon Live Firing: This one is really tough, and not only physically.
Before any live firing there is definitely a period of training for us to be familiarized with the drills and things we were supposed to do. The only type of field available for training in PLAB was this stretch of grass that was pretty flat and while it was still tough, it was only so because the training was repititive, and with good reason.
The day before the actual exercise, I think we had much more rest than we ever expected. The instructors were more lenient than they ever used to be, and they did address us in a much friendlier way. We just have to do what we were told and nothing else - and be clear-minded while doing it. Each and every one of us, with or without a faith, was muttering a prayer to the greater powers up there - simply because there was a possibility that one of us might get injured or even killed tomorrow. See below as to how this possibility might turn reality.
I went to sleep that night thinking of little else but to get as much rest as I could.
The day came.
The entire company started with a mock drill to get used to the terrain. Since it was only a drill, blanks were used. Thus, you can still fire them but you won't fire any projectiles. Only a flash appears from the muzzle, but if someone stands really close, he can get hurt.
I sure won't want to charge up that hill again. It was inclined at 45 - 60 degrees, and the sun was merciless. It was a pretty short charge but considering the slope, the weather, and the possibility of dying, nobody is taking any chances to screw it up. At the top of the hill stood several targets resembling enemy hostiles, which we would "attack" once we made our way to the peak.
Shortly after everyone completed the drill, it was the real thing.
We were the first to go since we were Platoon 1 - not sure if that was a good or bad thing, but getting it over and done with was more important. Loaded our weapons with real ammunition this time and checked safety to ensure that no round gets misfired whilst on the way to the hill.
We trekked along a path until we reached an area with some trees and undergrowth. There, we lay prone for a moment whilst waiting for the command. What we were supposed to do once we were told to charge was to run to the foot of the hill and get into position, then fire away.
The formation itself looked something like this:
T T T
S S S
T = Target, S = Section
Within each section (7 men) were 3 groups, lined up in the following manner:
12345G1
123G2
1G3
Everyone fires while waiting for a command. When this command is heard, G1 and G3 cease firing and G2 moves DIAGONNALLY to take the 1 o' clock of G1.
1234511G2
12345G1
1234511G3
G1 and G2 continue their fire while G3 stays low and prepares to move to the 11 o' clock of G1. When it finally moves (diagonnally across G1), it looks something like this:
111G3
11G2
11111 G1
Then G1 moves forward. Cycle repeats.
G1 had it the easiest, while G2 and G3 must be constantly alert and fearing for their lives - you don't want a cockhead firing from the G1 position while you are crossing his line of fire! I was in G3, so I felt the fear, too.
Furthermore, we had a team of GPMG gunners firing live rounds over our heads; no doubt it was a good distance between our not-so-infallable helmets and the path of the rounds, but you want to be really sure those gunners are not swinging the weapon around. Which of course, they weren't - but the thought that these gunners were supposed to be firing at the enemy positions (and that is where you are heading!!) in a real uphill charge means that you can be struck by friendly fire.
Luckily, we reached the top of the hill safe and sound. We "attacked" the targets and then moved down the hill, feeling not just exhilarated but also thankful that we were alive.
It's hard to imagine the terror if you do not participate in this kind of exercise, but there isn't really a need to experience it. Well, some guys would have already done this, particularly those in infantry units. In any case, I won't be doing this again in my entire life, so there.
Oh, it wasn't just about getting shot - you don't want to be blur and shoot somebody else, too.
PS The procedure for group movement might be wrong (since I have forgotten about it) but the diagonnal cross is correct. It was five minutes of my life that was largely blurry and hectic and crazy, but well, I made it through.
